Apparatus for protecting checks



April15,19,24. 1,490,130

l w. J. REID APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CHECKS Filed Aug. 24, `1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Qff.

Amin 15, 1924. 1,490,130

W. J. REID APPARATUS lFOR PROTECTING CHECKS Filed Aug. 24, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i .la .19%, ik

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Patented Apr. l5, 1924.

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Application led August 24, 1922. V*Serial No. 584,024.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, 1WILLIAM J. REID, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, D. C., have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Protecting Checks, of which the following is a specification.

In carrying out the present invention it is my purpose to provide a check protecting 1G device which will be found especially useful in connection with chemically treated checks wherein the chemicals will hide an identifying mark and will respond to the action of heat to unco-ver or disclose such mark of identification, my improved check protector embodying means to heat the chemically treated check so as todisclose the identifying mark.

y'It is also my purpose toprovide a check protector of the class described which will also perform the additional function of endorsing the check at the same time that the check is'treated to the action of the heat, so that the mark of identification may be brought out on the check and the check endorsedy simultaneously, thereby enabling the bank to perform both operations within a minimum time and without additional eiort;

Furthermore, 1 aim to provide a check pro# tector and endorsing device which will embrace thedesired features of simplicity, eficiency and durability, which may be mannfactured and sold at comparatively small cost andwhichwill embody comparatively few parts, and these so arranged and correlated as to reduce the possibility of derangemcnt to a minimum.

With the above recited objects in view, and others of a similar nature, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts set forth in and fallp ing within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the check protector and endorsing device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same showing the device in open position.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the device.

Figure 4t is an enlarged sectional view on the line 1.-4 of Figure 2 showing the device in closed position.

1n the present instance, my device, which is shown in the form Vof a protector and endorsing device, comprises a bottom section land a top section 2 arranged upon the bottom section 1 and hinged to the bottom section 1 at one edge by means of suitablehinges 3. Y

rPhe sections 1 and 2 are substantially rectangular 'in top plan, and in thisl instance the bottom section 1 adjacent to its hinged edge is formed in its upper surface with a transverse depression e' that is lined with heat insulating material 5 and embedded in the heat insulating material 5 is an elec trically energized heating element 6 which embodies a top heat transmitting plate 7 and a coil 8 arranged within the heat transmitting plate 7. The upper surface of the plate 7 of the heating element lies flush with the upper surface of the section 1. r1`he top section 2 immediately above the heating element 6 is provided with a transverse opening 9 in which is fitted a transparent pla-te 10 formed of glass or analogous material.

The confronting surfaces of the top and bottom sections 1 and 2, respectively, in advance 4of the heating element and the window 10 are formed with recesses 11-11 in which4 are seated dies 12.12. The confronting faces ofthe dies 12-12 are cut to provide a stamp indicative of the endorsement of the bank, so that when the check is disposed between the confronting surfaces Vof the dies and the top sections press downwardly upon the bottom section the en* dorsement of the bank will be embossed in the check.

ln the present instance the coil 8 of the heating element has one of its terminals connected with a suitable form of switch 13 that is disposed within a recess 14 formed in the bottom section 1 adjacent to the hinged edge of such section. This switch 13 has one of its contact members arranged in the path of a vertical plunger 15 and the upper end of the plunger 15 extends through the top of the section 1 into the path of movement of the section 2, so that when the section 2 is swung toward the section 1 the plunger 15 will be depressed to close the switch 13, thereby permitting the electric current to fiow through the coil of the heating element. fn the present instance the plunger 15 is seated within a recess 16 formed in the lower section 1 and is provided with a collar 17, and interposed between the collar 17 and the bottom wall of the recess 16 is a spring 18 that acts to throw the plunger 15 upwardly to open the switch 13 when the section 2 is moved to open position.y

The section 2 is provided with an appropriate form of hand hold 19, so that such section may be swung toward and away from the section 1.

In the practice of my invention one end portion o1 the check, which is indicated in Figure 3 by the reference character' C, or the entire body portion ot the check, as desired, is chemically treated and these chemicals in the check hide an identiiication mark. `When the check is received by the bank it is placed between the sections 1 and 2 of my check protector and the section 2 is swung downwardly and under the check in order to clamp the check between the sections 1 and 2, as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. In the downward movement of the section 2 the plunger is operated to close the switch 18, thereby energizing the coil of the heating element. rIhe heat from the coil is transmitted through the plate 7 and heats the adjacent portion of the check, so that the chemicals react to disclose the identifying mark thereon, this mark being discernible through the win dow 10. Simultaneously with this hea-ting of the end portion of the check the dies 12 emboss in the check the endorsement of the bank, thereby enabling both acts to be done at the same time, and eliminating additional handling of the checl-r` incident to the use of my invention.

I have entered into a detailed description of the construction and relative arrangement ot parts embraced in the present and preferred embodiment of my invention with a view to imparting a full, clear and exact understanding` of the said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the said specific construct-ion and relative arrangement of parts, inasmuch as in the future practice of my invention such changes or modications may be made as fairly fall within the scope of my invention as defined by my appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a check protector, a bottom section and a top section hingedly connected to the bottom section at one edge and adapted to receive one end of a chemically treated check and a heater carried by said bottom section to heat the check whereby the chemicals may be subjected to the action ot the heat for the. purpose described.

2. In a check protector, a bottom section and a top section hingedly connected to the bottom section at one edge and adapted to receive one end of a. chemically treated check and a heater carried by said bottom section to heat the check whereby the chemicals may be subjected to the action ot' the heat for the purpose described, said heater embodying` a coil adapted to be electrically energized and a circuit closer in circuit with said coil and under the control orp said top section and movable to closed position in the movement of the top section toward the bottom` section.

3. In a check protector, a bottom section and a top section hingedly connected to the bottom section at one edge and adapted to receive one end of a chemically treated check and a. heater carried by said bottom section to heat the check, whereby the chemicals may be subjected to the action o't` the heat for the purpose described, said heater embodying a coil adapted to be electrically energized and a circuit closer in circuit with said coil and under the control of said top sect-ion and movable to closed position in the movement. of the top section toward the bottom section, and embossing dies carried by said top and bottom sections, respectively, to engage the check in the closing' of said sections to emboss on the check an endorsement.

et. In a check protector, means for heating one end of a chemically treated check whereby the chemicals may be subjected to the action of the heat for the purpose described and means for endorsing the check simultaneously with the heating thereof.

In testimony whereof I alitx my signature.

WILLIAM J. REID. 

